News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Christian Forum calls on minister Kubayi to build an unshakable foundation for the Justice system
# Minister Chikunga calls on women to take ownership of economic opportunities
# And rugby: A match is abandoned after a brawl erupts at a school rugby game

# The South African National Christian Forum is calling on Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi to build an unshakable foundation of the justice system in the country. This followed the suspensions of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s senior investigators, Dylan Perumal, Brian Padayachee, and Suneel Bellochun, on the grounds of allegations of involvement in the fabrication of witness statements, case manipulation, and the abuse of power. Christian Forum leader, Marothi Mashashane says if systemic corruption is left unchecked inside the house of justice, the integrity of the entire nation is compromised:

# The minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the Presidency, Sindisiwe Chikunga, called on South Africans women to rise, take ownership of economic opportunities, and contribute to national development. She says many women entrepreneurs operate in informal or small-scale markets, and struggle to transition into sustainable, commercially viable enterprises. The minister says there is a persistent gap between women-owned businesses and large corporations, between women-owned businesses and government procurement systems, and between women-owned businesses and mainstream markets:

# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa is demanding the state-led re-industrialisation of the South African economy. Stats SA announced that 245 businesses closed in the second quarter of this year. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the figures represent a direct and devastating attack on the livelihoods of the working class. He says the fact that the economy has lost one-thousand-361 businesses in the first half of 2026 should be a wake-up call for the government of national unity:

# The National Youth Development Agency signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with the Belt and Road Initiative General Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa. This is to expand economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and sustainable jobs for young South Africans. The agency says based on the Belt and Road Initiative and the BRICS cooperation mechanism, both sides have reached an in-depth strategic cooperation consensus. NYDA says in the future, they will continuously deepen multi-field cooperation, including China-South Africa youth economic and trade exchanges, targeted industrial project docking, and youth entrepreneurship empowerment.

# The renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among ten people killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. His company confirmed with “profound sadness and immense heartbreak” that the 43-year-old Purja had died in Thursday’s avalanche. Purja, who was born in Nepal and later served in the British army, was known for scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019. The Prince of Wales said he was “truly saddened to hear of the tragic death” of Purja, who he said “served with distinction” as a soldier before “becoming one of the greatest mountaineers”.

# And rugby: A Noordvaal Cup clash between Hoërskool Menlopark and Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen was abandoned after a large-scale fight involving both schoolboys and parents broke out on the field. Menlopark were leading 36-5 when the match had to be stopped following the ugly scenes. Videos of the incident spread rapidly online, showing the full extent of the disorder. The chairman of the Noordvaal Schools Rugby Association, Thinus Diedericks, confirmed the body was aware of the incident and action will be taken after a proper investigation.

Stay tuned for more news………….